Adam-de-Villiers House

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Origin and history

The Adam-de-Villiers House, also known as the Sanglier House, is one of the oldest preserved houses in the city of Saint-Pierre, on the island of La Réunion. Built between 1770 and 1780, it was attributed to Henry Antoine Nairac, then the King's storekeeper. Its architecture, typical of the Creole boxes of the 18th century, is distinguished by its masonry, its square floor and its attic at the Mansart covered with wood essences. It is part of Saint-Pierre's regular first plan, adopted in 1730, which makes it a rare testimony to early colonial urban planning.

The house has been included in the additional inventory of Historic Monuments since June 6, 1988, including its interiors and appentis. Since 1938, she belongs to the Adam de Villiers family, who gave her her present name. Its location, at the corner of Marius-Ary Leblond and Barquisseau streets, makes it a landmark in the historic city centre. The residence reflects both the social status of its first occupants and the local construction techniques of the time.

The Adam-de-Villiers House is an emblematic example of Réunion's architectural heritage, combining French influences and tropical adaptations. Its wood-sense roof, typical of the island, and its regular plan recall the importance of private buildings in structuring colonial cities. Today it is privately owned and remains a symbol of Saint-Pierre's urban history, marked by its development in the 18th century under the French royal authority.

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